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ARGENTINA: Opposition Starts Discussions On Utility Bills

Argentinean opposition lawmakers have launched discussions on the increase in rates for utility bills sponsored by Mauricio Macri’s administration.

During the session, the opposition lawmakers should try to approve legislation capable of reducing or at least freezing the increase until 2019. For its turn, ruling lawmakers are expected to move ahead with legislation to remove municipal and provincial taxes from the billings.

The increase in rates and services directly impacted inflation in the first quarter of 2018.

Last week, the opposition to Macri’s administration requested an extraordinary session in the House of Representatives to discuss the increase of public service tariffs, but the lower house speaker Emilio Monzo closed the session when only one lawmaker was remaining to reach the minimum quorum.

The opposition, which seeks the review and freezing of some tariffs, accused ruling lawmakers of maneuvering to avoid debate on the issue.

After that, during a meeting between the government and leaders of the ruling bloc in Congress, it was decided that the payment of the last increase would be postponed in three bimonthly installments from May to August. An official announcement has not yet been made.

Earlier this week, Macri went out to ask the municipalities and the provinces to eliminate the taxes on utility bills. He also asked Argentineans to save energy, to pay lower bills consequently.